Last minute shoot tomorrow - need advise asap please

A

andrew00

Well-known member
Hey ya'll.

I also put this on the production design forum.

So I've just been asked to shoot a music vid tomorrow. Apparently the band got some time last minute and want to do a performance video, with some additional narrative footage to be shot later on, and have rented a location to shoot something on.

They've asked me to do the best I can, which I said given the time (11am already here) is pretty limited!

I was wondering basically if anyone had any suggestions on how, with little time to organise anything, I can make the video a bit interesting. I'm currently planning on doing a pretty normal performance shoot, nothing crazy really going on and using direction to create emotion, i.e. getting them to play interestingly heh. But if anyone has any thoughts of what I can do that'd be sweet.

Here's the location:

049802_88377027.jpg


It's an old time ballroom, with stage lights and big natural light windows on the sides, esp the right side, prob Sth facing or something.

I was thinking I could use the natural light to create a soft almost dreamy feel. The band are a rock band and my mind remembered this old Billy Talent video and the way the soft lighting works well - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gxezt-Xdww

Now I don't have time to organise anything exploding! But I do have a few hours to magic something up so, asap, if anyone has any thoughts on how I could make it more interesting that'd be awesome!

Oh and they said we can shoot on the floor or stage, and that the current backdrop is more woodland than houses.

I thought I could maybe rent 1 kino and a 4 head dedo kit to use them as and if needed. The room has those massive windows which I'd imagine will flood and dictate the lighting anyway. They do have blinds that can go on them which will probably soften things and darken to a degree.

a x
 
Video's not working.

Hmm, that's tough to do something last minute like that. The only thing I can think of it playing with the elements, using the lights, moving the lights, move the camera...

What kind of band is this? It makes all the difference if they're metal, folk, etc...
 
if you had the time and budget i would tell the band to try to find some costumes and try to match the back drop, like a 1800's german village kind of style. and make up the rest in the narrative portion and have a fun story, matching the style and feel. or even do some major contrast, like they are dressed like that in modern day in the narrative. if the music is light enough i would go for as much comedy as possible, have separate b-roll of them doing silly stuff individually on top of performing. and light them awesome of course :)
 
The venue are apparently a bit weird about having lots of lighting about for some reason, I think because they're a private organisation who don't let many people in. I've managed to pick up a Dedo kit and a kino flo that I can use, I also have my own Litepanels micropro which can do the job of a catch light/face fill. Plus the stage has theatrical lighting.

I believe in a week or so they want to get some actors to do some scenes outside, a love story type angsty thing. They're a rock band, think foo fighters/stereophonics kinda music, not super goth or anything.

I was thinking that if I keep it organic perhaps at least I can work the DoF and give it a soft daylight look. Without smoke it might be a bit harsh but I can do my best.

There's very much a pop luck aspect I'm thinking here as I haven't time for much in the way or props or sfx like confetti/streamers/no smoke as I said or any of that go-to texture. Though the background of the stage is interesting which could be used right somehow.

I wondered if for variation I could pull down the blinds and if it's dark enough go for a spotlight effect for solos and the like. I always like the strobing effect in this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuoo_GoZA48 - around half way through. But can never remember how it's done, if it's a technique or just overlaying multiple instances of the clip etc, and then even if it'd work or suck in this instance.
 
Last edited:
With limitations like that, to avoid making it generic, maybe you should try and work a bit more abstract. Perhaps use the lights you have to your advantage, having them in the shots, being a bit self-reflexive.

Maybe even do something where you can't make out the band except everything around them. They're just black silhouettes. Though they may want to be seen.
 
Yeah I thought one thing I could do is have the singer do certain trigger actions that can be cut in with the story footage to be shot later.

Say mid song he holds his hand up to the light, we can cut to behind him w/the light almost blinding, then cut to the actor outside doing the same thing, i.e. pulling his hand back etc. It might allow us to delve into and out of the narrative part.
 
Can you shoot at night? You can get a lot more out of the room if you can use their theatrical fixtures in concert with your rented kit. A few spots on that backdrop and on that very interesting proscenium just to cut through the black and I think you'll really start to have fun with it.

Of course, then you're completely free to play with the color palette too. Are their fixtures easily gelled and controlled from a board?

I wish I could come out and play with you on this one. Fantastic location!

Someone suggested it above I think, and I'd also explore the idea of crazy Elizabethan / Renaissancey costuming for at least a few takes.

e
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top